The VBAC Companion

January 1, 1998
Korte, a writer and lecturer on women's health issues for over 25 years, has written this book "to show those of you who do want a VBAC [vaginal birth afer cesarean] how to get one." This volume is based on the author's published research, letters received from over 100 women who sent her their VBAC stories, and her experiences from writing about pregnancy and birth. The appendixes (not available with the review copy) include a directory of resources and organizations and the author's VBAC questionnaire. The book is written in a very readable style, with much of it in the form of a statement or question followed by answers based the author's research and responses to her questionnaire; excerpts from the letters are included as well. The considerable information Korte presents about VBAC should answer many of the questions a pregnant woman might have. This complements two older titles--Nancy Cohen's Silent Knife: Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC) & Cesarean Prevention (1984) and Diana Korte and Roberta Scaer's A Good Birth, a Safe Birth: Choosing and Having the Childbirth Experience You Want (Harvard Common, 1991. 3d rev. ed.). Recommended for consumer health collections.--Mary J. Jarvis, Methodist Hosp. Medical Lib., Lubbock, Tex.

November 15, 1997
Korte, a journalist who covers parenting issues, here thoroughly and readably summarizes the pros and cons, the whys and wherefores of giving birth vaginally after previously delivering by cesarean section. She synthesizes published research and the stories of more than 100 women to consider common fears about VBAC and ways to cope, how to find a VBAC-friendly physician and hospital, conditions of VBAC labor and birth, and insurance options. Since less than 30 percent of women who give birth via cesarean subsequently have VBACs, this informative guide may be specialized; still, it addresses quite a large potential audience. Its warm, supportive tone--and especially the words of women who have been through VBAC--makes it even more valuable. ((Reviewed November 15, 1997))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1997, American Library Association.)